Chapter Forty-One
At Wayne Manor…
Selina woke the next morning and panic gripped her until she opened her eyes and found that the arms around her waist belonged to Bruce.
"You okay?" He asked.
"Yes, for a minute I thought I had been dreaming," She whispered.
"No, you're home, you're safe," he whispered as he kissed her forehead.
"Thank you."
"I couldn't leave you there again."
"He knows who you are," she whispered.
"It doesn't matter. No one will believe him."
"We'll need to contact Gordon and fill him in."
"Later, for now I just want to rest."
"Bruce we can't not yet, he know the truth he'll send trouble for us and beyond that with his press conference to release the new product Clay Face is sure to turn up."
"We can worry about that later. It's still early. Rest love."
Selina laid her head back down and closed her eyes she let the feel of his fingers combing through her hair and the beat of his heart lull her back to sleep. Bruce tucked her head under his chin and closed his eyes to rest.
Down the Hall…
Dick sat in his room his sketchpad laid across his lap. He studied his notes on the colors for his second sketch of Zanah. Pulling out his colored pencils he set to work on the image. Starting with her face coloring in her eyes and lips then putting in a pale skin tone and shadowing it with care. Pulling out a soft yellow he turned his attention to her hair. Putting as much detail in the image as possible, trying to fully capture the image of Zanah as he'd seen her yesterday.
Across the hall…
Zanah sat sharpening her Katana. Satisfied it was battle ready she turned her attention to her smaller blades treating them in the same fashion as she stared at the morning headline. "Daggett Industries Introduces New Miracle product Tonight."
"Tonight you fall," Zanah whispered as she sheathed her daggers. She tucked the blades into her dresser and sighed. It has to end, but I'm going to miss this place, to miss Dick. I hope he'll be happy. Maybe we'll meet again, she thought before she moved out of the room and downstairs to eat.
Stepping into the kitchen she found Barbara sitting at the table alone. Zanah said nothing, simply pulled out a bottle of water from the fridge and withdrew. She wasn't in the mood to deal with the other woman this morning.
"I don't know why they allow Zanah or Selina to reside in this house, neither of them belong here. They're both criminals," Barbara grumbled venting her frustration.
"Mrs. Wayne and Miss Vansen are no different than anyone in this house," Alfred said.
"She will never be Mrs. Wayne. Selina's not fit to bear that name."
"Watch your tone Barbara. You don't know who she is and she is fit for the name."
"They are nothing like us. They're the enemy," Barbara snapped.
"No girl, they are your allies."
"Why do you show them, a pair of criminals, respect and me, your own family none?"
"They are adults, you on the other hand are behaving like a petulant child. If I hear you speaking a word of this in front of Master Bruce, I will personally take you back to school. You came back to help. So, do it and stop stirring up trouble in my house."
"But…"
"Enough."
Barbara fell silent seeing she'd make no headway with her uncle. She retreated to the privacy of her room.
Upstairs Dick set his sketchpad aside as his stomach growled. Getting up he moved downstairs to the kitchen where he found Alfred preparing breakfast.
"Good morning sir."
"Morning Al."
"Miss Zanah is in the study I believe. Would you inform her breakfast is ready?" Alfred asked.
Dick nodded and moved down the hall to the study. He found Zanah 9n the midst of several back handsprings and watched silently as she went through various other moves for what appeared to be her normal workout routine.
"Good morning," she said as she finished her exercises.
"Morning, breakfast is ready," Dick said.
"Great, I'm hungry."
"I figured you'd be in the kitchen already."
"Too early for a fight."
"Barbara?"
Zanah nodded.
"Sorry."
"Don't be I can handle her."
"I've noticed," Dick said with a grin of approval.
The two left the room and returned to the kitchen where they sat down to breakfast. They watched amused as Alfred warmed two bottles and then turned his attention to feeding the cubs.
Upstairs…
Bruce's eyes opened as daylight poured in through the window. Glancing over at the clock he found it wasn't quite noon. He stretched out stiff muscles and felt the dark haired figure stir against him. Eyelashes fluttered and green eyes opened alive with question.
"Morning," she purred.
"You okay?" He asked.
"Much better."
"Good, lets move downstairs and grab some breakfast and then we'll go see Gordon."
"No, we should go now before Daggett has time to retaliate."
"It can wait a little longer Selina."
"Bruce…"
"It can wait," he said in a tone that broached no argument as he pressed a finger to her lips.
Selina nodded, knowing not to argue. He'd not hear any more. "What about this evening?"
"We'll talk business later," Bruce said.
"Batman I told you…"
"After breakfast," Bruce said getting out of bed.
Selina followed and the two made their way to the kitchen. They joined Dick and Zanah at the table and the four ate breakfast together. Selina studied Zanah with concern but said nothing. The young woman had an air around her of grim determination. The Wraith was going after Daggett tonight. One way or the other her struggle with the industrialist would end.
Be careful, Selina thought worried about her friend.
Zanah nodded in response. "What kind of damage control are you going to do?"
"We'll I'm going to start by talking to the Commissioner and I'll figure it out from there," Selina said.
"From there you give the press the truth. You broke off the engagement," Bruce said.
"My reason?"
"Same as you told him. I came clean."
"So, I admit we were more than just friends?"
Bruce nodded. "Then I want you back here resting."
"Until tonight. I am going with you Bruce don't try to convince me other wise."
"I wish you wouldn't."
"Bruce I've worked too hard to let this go, besides you're going to need my help."
"Just be careful."
"I will."
After breakfast Selina moved upstairs and got dressed. She then made her way to the cave and found Batman ready to go. Getting into the Bat mobile they headed for the police station.
Commissioner Gordon's office…
Commissioner Gordon sat staring at a mug shot of Selina Kyle when he felt a draft. Looking up he found himself faced with Batman and Miss Kyle. He blinked thinking perhaps he was imaging things but found them both still standing there.
"Miss Kyle."
"I told you to call me Selina."
"It's good to see you safe. I'm glad you succeeded in persuading her to leave batman."
"I didn't Wayne did. I simply got her out," Batman said.
"Did you get anything?"
"Yes, he ordered me to kill Bruce Wayne and the hand over Batman."
"How could you hand over Batman?"
"She knows who I am."
Gordon blinked stunned by this revelation and felt cheated somehow. "That's why you didn't want Daggett in your head."
"Yes, Batman's identity being discovered by the wrong people would start an all out war in Gotham."
"I've spent my life trying to keep that from happening."
"How does she know then?"
"I told her to try and reason with Catwoman."
"You love her," Gordon said with understanding. "Why didn't you try to convince her to leave?"
"He did."
"But he said…"
"Yes, I know."
Gordon blinked. Wayne. Bruce Wayne is Batman. It makes sense. His parents' death started it all. "Are you okay Selina?" Gordon asked not giving voice to his thoughts.
"Fine, just a bit tired."
"And a bit bruised," Batman added.
"Bruised?" The Commissioner asked concerned.
"Daggett tends to be violent when he doesn't get what he wants," Batman said bitterly.
"Oh."
"We wanted to let you know I was out and safe," Selina said wanting to change the subject.
"Thank you. I've been worried about you especially with all the headline lately."
"I'm fine," she assured him.
"What about the press?" Gordon asked.
"I and Mr. Wayne will be straightening that out."
"And Daggett?"
"Will show his hand soon enough," Batman said.
"I'll clear Selina's record of the theft, so if Daggett tries to undo his work she'll have been exonerated."
"Thank you," Selina said.
"No need. Just stay out of Daggett's path."
"I'll keep him at a safe distance," she assured him.
"Commissioner, you're not going to believe this," Bullock said as he made his way to the door. Gordon looked from the interrupting voice to the spot where batman and Selina had been to find both gone.
I hate it when he does that, Gordon thought as his door opened. "What is it?"
"Miss Kyle stole that Jade Cat again last night," Bullock said.
"I doubt that," Gordon said.
"Well, the museum called, it's gone again."
"Send a team over to investigate. I don't think Miss Kyle or Catwoman were anywhere near that museum last night."
"Okay Jim," Bullock said before he to withdrew from the office.
And it begins. Jim Gordon thought grimly as he put away the mug shot of Selina.
Later At Wayne Manor…
Barbara sat in her room reading a book for one of her classes and listening to the TV when her cell phone rang. Picking it up she saw it was Gill Mason.
"Hello."
"Barbara, how are you?"
"I'm okay Gill."
"And the family emergency?"
"Still straightening things out."
"When are you coming back?" Gill asked.
"Soon."
"I miss you."
"I miss you too Gill."
"When you get back we should go out to dinner. I'm sorry I've been so busy."
"Dinner would be great," Barbara said, ecstatic.
"So am I forgiven?"
"Yes."
"I love you Barbara."
Love you too, bye."
"Bye."
Barbara hung up the phone and sighed contentedly. Gill still loved her things were looking up. Maybe I should go back to school and not worry about what they do its their mistake not mine, Barbara thought as the news began.
"Our opening story today comes as no shock to this reporter. It seems that Gotham Museum was robbed again last night of the Jade Cat. While the police have yet to respond both the museum curator and I share the same belief that the notorious Catwoman has no doubt struck again. A team of detectives is busy working the scene now, but refuse to speculate. The question on several local officials minds right now no doubt is where is Selina Kyle."
Barbara grinned pleased as she switched off the TV she couldn't wait to show everyone just how wrong they were about Selina and once they saw Selina was trouble maybe they'd believe her about Zanah also.
Across Town…
Selina and Bruce sat in a booth in the Rose Café waiting for Gerdey to arrive. They watched as Gotham's gossip queen made her way across the floor to their table.
"Selina! Where is Roland today? Bruce Wayne! Can one of you explain?"
"I broke off the engagement with Daggett," Selina said.
"What ever for dear?" Gerdey asked a smile a mile wide on her face.
"During lunch after the press conference Bruce asked me to dance and while we danced he told me the truth."
"What truth?" Gerdey asked trying to seem casual but in fact chomping at the bit to hear the latest turn of events in Selina Kyle's life.
"I told her I couldn't stand seeing her with Daggett and that I still loved her…" Bruce began.
"Still?" Gerdy's eyes lit up at the implication of the words.
"Bruce and I were romantically involved before."
"Why ever did you lie then?"
"Roland knew and was madly jealous, afraid that I'd go back to Bruce so he asked me to deny any kind of relationship other than friendship with Bruce. At first I didn't have any problem I was mad at Bruce because of how he reacted to my being arrested for stealing the Jade Cat."
"How did he react?"
"He told me it was over. That I was an embarrassment."
"Oh. So, getting back to the dance floor Brucie. You told her you still loved her and…" Gerdy prompted.
"That I wanted her back. I begged her forgiveness for doubting her and asked her to call off the engagement," Bruce said.
"What did you say Selina?" Gerdy asked.
"I told him I was happy with Daggett and I just wanted to be friends. I was still angry," Selina said with a smile.
"What changed?"
"I realized I was still in love with Bruce, so I broke it off with Daggett and Bruce and I have been together ever since."
"How did Roland take the news?" Gerdy asked.
"No well," Bruce put in.
"Meaning?" Gerdy prompted.
"I don't want to get into it. Lets just say we're not going to be friends after this," Selina said.
"Brucie?" Gerdy asked hoping the millionaire would give her an answer concerning his rival's response.
Bruce seeing the pleading look from his wife said, "Lets respect Selina's wishes to keep this conversation civil."
Gerdy nodded but was curious at his choice of words. "I take it you don't like Roland."
"No, I don't and that's all I'll say on the matter."
"Fair enough. So, should we be expecting wedding bells in the future for the most eligible bachelor in Gotham?
"Maybe," Bruce said with a grin enjoying playing with the over anxious gossip queen he'd read one too many headlines concerning himself and possible marriages over the years.
"Come on Brucie don't tease," she admonished.
"Selina and I eloped. We may have a public wedding later, but we wanted to keep the event private because of the fuss over her and Daggett. I don't want her painted in an ugly light. I could see the press calling her a gold digger or some such nonsense and for that reason I've kept things quiet."
"I see. Well, congratulations to you both."
"Thank you," Selina purred.
"Why give me the story Brucie?"
"Because I know it will come out eventually and I'd rather it come from the horses mouth than a second hand source and exaggerated."
"Of course."
"Did you want to join us for lunch?" Selina asked.
"No, I'll leave you two love birds alone, but I'll be in touch."
"Bye Gerdy." Bruce said with a grin.
"Bye."
Selina and Bruce paid for their drinks and appetizer and then headed back to Wayne Manor. When they got there Barbara met them at the door in a mood that put Selina on edge. The young woman was too happy.
"Hello Barbara," Selina said in way of greeting.
"Hello Selina, glad to see you made it back."
Selina blinked confused, knowing Barbara wasn't concerned with her safety.
"Oh, then you haven't heard?" Barbara asked.
"Heard what?" Bruce asked as they stepped into the manor.
"The press is looking for Selina."
"Why?" Selina asked.
"The Gotham Museum was robbed last night. You're their prime suspect."
"Why?"
"The Jade Cat is missing again?"
Selina looked at Bruce with alarm. He blinked and Barbara's grin grew wider expecting an argument to follow.
"Daggett," Selina hissed.
"I guess he's retaliating sooner than expected," Bruce sighed with disgust.
"Trying to keep us away from the press conference tonight no doubt," Selina said.
"I'll go talk to Gordon and see what they've got so far."
Selina nodded and watched as Bruce withdrew, before turning her attention to Barbara who now wore an angry glare. "I'm staying here Girl, so you best get used to it. No stunt you or Daggett pull will change that. Stay out of my way," Selina warned before moving upstairs to rest.
Barbara swore in frustration, disgusted by Bruce's total trust in Selina. No doubt! He'd shown no doubt of her innocence. What is the matter with him and Dick? They'd both reacted the same way. Laying blame at Daggett's feet to protect Catwoman and Zanah from being blamed. It has to stop.
At the Police Station…
"She didn't do it Jim," Batman said as he entered the room.
"I know. I've got my best men going over the scene right now. The press is going to crucify her though."
"It's already started," Batman said with disgust.
"I'm sorry," The commissioner said.
"It's Daggett I'm sure of it, unfortunately I can't prove it."
"You think he'd frame her?"
"If it severed his purpose. Yes he would."
"And his purpose would be?"
"Separating Selina Kyle and Bruce Wayne."
"He'll use it to his own end then," Gordon said.
"Yes anything to take him out of a bad light to the press."
"What else should I know?"
"This will be the first wave of something grander and I have no doubt your life is still in danger. He won't give up until he gets what he wants."
"And that is?" Gordon asked.
"Us dead, Gotham City under his control, and my wife as his."
"What are you going to do?"
"Find proof of his crimes and put him away for a long time."
"You think he'll make a mistake?"
"Yes, his anger is clouding his judgment."
"Once they are done at the crime scene why don't you go have a look, maybe you'll find something they won't"
Batman nodded and then he was gone again.
Gordon watched as his detectives came back in from the museum. "I want an copy of your report on my desk ASAP," Gordon said, before turning his attention back to all of the chaos in his city of late.
It was several hours later when the report on the latest theft of the Jade Cat was put in front of him. A careful reading of the scene found the MO to be different from Catwoman's and she was listed as a possible suspect but an unlikely one. There was a copycat on the loose and like Batman; Commissioner Jim Gordon had no doubt that Daggett was behind it. He'd release a press statement later to clear Selina Kyle's name and hopefully put a stop to Daggett's design in the larger scheme of things.
